 |
|
Paul Holmes
placed second overall in the Goldspeed
European Quad-X Championships aboard
his Holmes Racing Yamaha YFZ450R ATV
|
Rudderberg, Germany (9/17/2011) - HOLMES
Racing’s Paul Holmes rode strong at the
final 2 rounds of the Goldspeed European Quad
Championship taking 2 wins, one 2nd and a 5th
place to finish in the runner-up place in the
overall 2011 Championship.
Round 7, Slagelse, Denmark
The deep sand based Danish circuit
welcomed the sunshine all Saturday for the 2
free practice sessions and the 30 minuteQualification
session. Holmes worked through the day to get
the best possible setting and tested different
set-ups to keep up with the demanding track.
Holmes eventually posted the 2nd fastest time
in the Qualification session giving him a great
gate choice for Sunday’s races.
Race 1: Rounding
the first corner in 3rd place, Holmes moved
quickly into 2nd place before the end of the
opening lap and
then began to put the pressure on race leader
Montalbini. After applying several laps of pressure
trying to take the race
lead, Holmes finally made the pass stick and
took over 1st place and continued his form until
the chequered flag taking his
3rd straight win in this year's Championship;
the most wins in a row from any rider in this
year's Championship.
Race 2: Despite hoping
to keep up the winning momentum, Holmes had
an unfortunate start and was in 7th place on
the opening lap. He found some great lines in
the treacherous sands to make passes up to 2nd
place, and despite being able to set the fastest
lap of the race, and close in early race leader
Couprie, the Chequered flag dropped and Holmes
had to settle for 2nd place. With a 1st and
2nd place, Holmes claimed runner up spot on
the podium, joint on points with series points
leader Couprie.
Round 8, The Final, Rudderberg,
Germany (11/09/2011)
The grand finale of the 2011 Goldspeed
European Championship was held this past weekend
at the superb Rudersberg circuit in Germany.
The spectacular hardpack track was perfectly
prepared and thousands of spectators filled
the hillside venue. With very hot weather conditions
all weekend it was Holmes who showed immense
speed in Qualification by setting the fastest
lap of the session by almost a full second from
local rider Schreiber.
Race 1: After an
intense fight for the lead in the opening few
corners Holmes was in 2nd place. Holmes stayed
in 2nd place
and despite riding cautiously on the slippery
track slid to the outside of the track and beached
himself totally stuck in deep
mud which was moved to prepare the track while
the entire pack got past. Remounting in last
place, Holmes showed
incredible speed and determination as the Championship
was on the line, dicing through the pack all
the way up to 5th place
at the chequered flag.
Race 2: With another
great start Holmes took the holeshot and didn’t
waste time pulling out a lead over the pack.
5 laps into the race Holmes had settled into
a comfortable pace but Race 1 winner Schrieber
was closing in. Despite losing the lead to Schreiber,
Holmes didn’t give in and showed his fitness
by re-gaining the lead just 3 laps later. Holmes
pushed all the way to the Chequered flag taking
another win matching the most amount of wins
made by any rider in the Championship.
Holmes commented after the weekends racing
action; "I’m really pleased with
my performance this weekend and thrilled with
the overall place in this year's Championship.
It is tough to be so close to winning and having
to settle for 2nd place but it is still a great
achievement. I am pleased with how I rode these
past 2 weekends and taking the final race of
the year is a great way to finish on a high.
It really helps me take momentum into the remaining
races this season and get ready for the tough
training months of winter. I had to work really
hard this weekend as the competition was fierce.
Once again I’d like to say huge thanks
to all my amazing sponsors and supporters because
without them these results wouldn’t be
possible. Holmes now has one week off before
he travels to the Annual Quad-X of Nations in
Germany. Holmes has been selected to race for
team Great Britain alongside two other British
riders who will need to work together to try
and bring the pretigious title home."
| Goldspeed
European Championships - Final Championship
Points |
| Place |
Name |
Points |
| 1 |
Romain Couprie (F) |
317 |
| 2 |
Paul Holmes (GB) |
305 |
| 3 |
Nicola Montalbini (I) |
235 |
| 4 |
Stefan Schreiber (D) |
207 |
| 5 |
Mattio Tarroco |
191 |
| 6 |
Andrea Cesari jr |
130 |
| 7 |
Jan Vlaeymans |
129 |
Holmes Racing would
like to take this opportunity to thank
GR Electrical Services PEP Suspension, Goldspeed
Tires, SHIFT Racing, DWT, Laegers, HINSON, DP
Brakes,Twin Air, Kutvek Kit Graphik, Motion
Pro, RNR, ATVs Only, AXP, BORN, Quad Tech, Renthal,
TPSL, Gaerne, Muk Junkie, Pulse Beats and Lonestar
Racing for their continued support and also
thank and welcome to the team new sponsors DOMA
Exhausts, Drag’on DistributionATV NRG,
Drag’on Tek, MOTUL, ATV World, Action
Cameras, GoPro, SAMCO hoses, Racebikebitz, Pro
Armour, Tire Balls, Leatt, USWE and Elkay Sports.
